With the escalating prevalence of pediatric asthma in the community, in 1998, St. John's formed a unique partnership with the Yonkers Public Schools to address its impact on our children and schools. Through funding obtained by St. John's asthma treatment equipment was donated to all Yonkers schools. Through this successful intervention, nurses administered over 900 breathing treatments to children experiencing asthma attacks, of which, 95% were able to return to class, substantially reducing the number who other wise would have been sent home or an emergency department.

Over the next ten years the program expanded throughout Westchester and Putnam counties to 241 schools and 28 pre-school/day care centers. By 2008, 39,571 treatments were given to 7,645 students and 95.3% of the time students returned to class, 4.3% were sent home and 0.4% was sent to an emergency department.

In addition to the children who have received emergency treatment from the nurse, over 1,000 children in the Yonkers schools have received onsite asthma education, and over 300 children have been referred to our pediatric clinic for specialist care. We also provide education for the community and for health care professionals.

Our program was recognized by the following organizations:

      2000 HANY Community Health Improvement Award - Runner-up
      2001 JCAHO Ernest A. Codman Award
      2002 Selected by the New York State Department of Health as a model program for school districts in New York.
      2003 Westchester County Board of Health Community Health Service Award
      2004 HANYS Community Health Improvement Award
      2006 American Hospital Association NOVA Award

Our ongoing efforts are to address and reduce the burden of asthma on children and their families.

For more information, contact Cheray Burnett by emailing her at cburnett@riversidehealth.org.